How to Bell Train a Grown Dog
People generally think of training puppies, but adult dogs learn, too. The older the dog is, the longer the training period may be. Adult dogs become distracted and have their own learned fears. For example, if you have adopted a dog that experienced neglect outside, that dog may have to learn that your backyard is a safe place to be. Bell training teaches your dog to ring a bell when it needs to go outside. It replaces scratching or barking at the door.
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Instructions
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Tie the bell to the cord. Place the bell near the door your dog exits. The bell must be low enough for the dog to hit the bell with its paw.
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Put food in the dog's dish and feed the dog. Watch the dog for signs that it needs to eliminate. Most dogs need to have a bowel movement 45 minutes to an hour after eating.
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Take the dog to the bell. Hold the dog's paw and ring the bell with the paw. You do not touch the bell.
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Take the dog outside and stay with it until the dog has eliminated. Praise the dog and offer a small dog treat.
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Repeat until the dog rings the bell to go outside and eliminate.
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Tips & Warnings
At some point during training, the dog will learn that ringing the bell makes you open the door. The dog will ring the bell. You will let the dog out and the dog will want to come right back in and ring the bell again. This is an important part of training. Take the dog outside, but only praise and give treats when the dog eliminates outside. This teaches the dog the final part of the lesson: to eliminate outside.
Don't punish your dog for bad behavior. Use positive reinforcement to train your dog to the bell. If the dog has an accident in the house, wipe the mess up and take the soiled paper towels outside to the area where your dog eliminates. Place the mess and the dog in the area, and praise the dog. Do not give a treat since the dog didn't eliminate in the proper area to begin with.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
